MANILA —The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday it would examine the allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso on their own merit, regardless of his administrative record.
PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief PCol. Allen Rae Co said the police organization was looking into the veracity of Gracioso’s claims, including his allegations about delivering cash-filled suitcases to members of the Duterte family.
“We will treat ‘yung kanyang statement as stated by our [DILG] Secretary, as directed by our chief PNP, on its own merit, not necessarily connected doon sa mga na-commit niya during his time in service,” Co said in a press briefing Tuesday.
NBI to validate Gracioso claims, invite Sara Duterte and ex- Speaker Velasco
Based on PNP records, Gracioso entered the police service on Aug. 1, 2015 and was assigned to the Calabarzon police office.
He later served as one of the security aides of then-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco from November 2020 until March 2022.
This is contrary to Gracioso’s affidavit before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), where he claimed he served as Velasco’s security aide from 2017 to 2024, or for seven years.
“He actually served former speaker Lord Allan Velasco for 1 year and 4 months,” Co said.
The PNP said it was checking how Gracioso came to be assigned to Velasco, including whether he was specifically requested by the former House Speaker or assigned through the unit responsible for VIP security.
“Some request specific persons to be part of their security. Meron naman na basta ia-assign ng PSPG or the unit na nag-aassign. We will have to check kung nirequest siya specifically ni former House speaker,” Co said.
The security detail was recalled in March 2022, the PNP said.
Gracioso was dismissed from the police service effective Sept. 11, 2026.
He has appealed the dismissal, although the PNP said no decision on his appeal has been issued yet.
“I highly doubt that na hindi niya alam kasi nag-appeal na nga siya so kapag nag-appeal ka, you were properly served a dismissal order for you to be able to appeal. But we will check how it was served sa kanya ‘yung dismissal order,” Co said.
The PNP said Gracioso had five administrative cases, including allegations of conduct unbecoming and grave misconduct.
However, police said most, if not all, of these cases were filed after his stint as Velasco’s security aide.
“So there cases on 2023, 2025. Some are personal in nature, his own mga actuations, actions and not necessarily doon sa duty niya as security aide,” Co said.
Ex-Speaker Velasco currently out of the country—BI
The PNP also clarified that the administrative cases against Gracioso should not be used to automatically discredit or connect his recent allegations to his conduct while he was in the police service.
Meanwhile, the PNP said being a security aide does not include performing personal errands for a VIP or the VIP’s family.
“As security aide, you are not supposed to perform ‘yung personal sa isang tao like ‘yung pagda-drive ng pamilya, pagbubuhat ng mga gamit, ‘yung ikaw ang maggo-grocery for them, that is not part of the job description,” Co said.
“Ang security aide by the very name ay you will provide security services doon sa iyong VIP or sa principal. Labas ‘yung mga personal na bagay,” he stressed.
Gracioso’s allegations are now being investigated following an order from Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
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